WATCH: 100 students take part in Harrogate tournament

100 11-18-year-old students from 10 schools across Harrogate District took part in the 13th Annual Rotary Technology Tournament at St Aidan’s CE High School.

The event was organised jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Harrogate, Harrogate Brigantes, Knaresborough, Ripon, Ripon Rowels and Lower Wharfedale and sponsored by Claro Precision Engineering Ltd. of Knaresborough,

Rotary Technology event. Picture: Adrian Murray (1402043AM2)

Energyline Ltd of Knaresborough and the GSM Group Ltd of Wetherby.

Students were set a practical design task to solve within a tight time frame. Using supplied materials the task was to construct a working model vehicle to carry a Shelterbox across a deep river.

Schools who took part were Ashville College, Boston Spa School, Harrogate Grammar School, Harrogate High School, King James‘s School, Nidderdale High School, Ripon Grammar School, Rossett School, St. Aidan’s C of E High School, St. John Fisher Catholic High School.

Event Coordinator David Russell of Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club said: “The students had no prior knowledge of the task and brought basic hand tools to use in the construction phase.

“They also had to produce a written design and construction portfolio to show how they arrived at the finished model. “

One of the competition judges, Rotarian John Sonley from Knaresborough said: “Most teams fully met the functionality requirement of the project with their vehicle running the full distance on the wire.

“I particularly liked how the teams learned the skills they needed as the contest proceeded, to produce a really successful outcome.

“The technical level was just right and we were fortunate in having well-chosen teams who displayed good teamwork; I foresee a good future for some of these bright students.”